CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP: Boris Johnson wins first round, three candidates eliminated

BORIS JOHNSON has topped the first round of voting in the Conservative leadership election while three contenders were knocked out in a ballot of MPs today (Thursday).

The former Foreign Secretary was backed by 114 MPs, according to the party which announced the results this afternoon.

Leadership contenders Andrea Leadsom, Mark Harper and Esther McVey were all knocked out of the contest after winning, 11, 10 and nine votes respectively.

Current Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt came second with 43 votes, followed by Environment Secretary Michael Gove with 37 and former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab with 27.

They will go through to the second ballot along with Home Secretary Sajid Javid, International Development Secretary Rory Stewart and Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

The first round of voting comes as the Conservatives continue the process to choose Prime Minister Theresa May’s successor.

May formally stepped down as Conservative leader earlier this month after announcing the timetable for her departure from Downing Street last month.

It comes after May’s proposed Brexit withdrawal deal was voted down in the House of Commons several times this year.